Women's entrepreneurship

An issue that I have heard again and again in women-centred entrepreneurialism is the fear of 'putting yourself out there' in business. Especially in a medium where you need to show your face. The common concerns are that family and friends, and the world in general will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of hopes and dreams that may still be in their infancy and have not had a chance yet to materialise. Much like protecting a young child, women who are budding entrepreneurs do not want their new ideas crushed by the weight of the world's judgment and can be hesitant about letting their babies out into the world. However, no matter how far you put yourself out there, the reality is that the world will judge you, and people will have different opinions about you - and that is ok. Other people's opinions of you (or your business or life ventures and adventures) are none of your business! You don't need to be liked by people in order to be successful, and it is absolutely inevitable that if you have strong opinions or dreams about anything in your life, people most certainly will take issue with that, because the world is full of diversity, and that is a valuable thing.

In the beginning stages of your business, if you want to protect your dream while it is in its infancy, simply don't tell anybody that you know about it! Contrary to what social media would have us believe, we do not belong to anybody

We do not owe anyone (except immediate family, if you have a partner etc at home) an explanation or insight into anything that is not directly related to them, and it is perfectly ok to launch a website, start business operations, and get comfortable with your own ideas before you let every person you know about it! Timothy Ferris addresses the concept of keeping plans under wraps in the 4-hour work week and advises new entrepreneurs to get used to apologising rather than asking for permission, stating that people are quick to stop you before you get started but hesitant to stop you once you are already going.

This is particularly true for women who have vision and creativity but haven't ventured too far into making ideas reality due to the necessity of jobs or a life-time of raising a family. Historically 'putting yourself out there' and having opinions, drive and motivation that go above and beyond the traditional at-home role has been stigmatised for women, which is evidenced in the glass-ceiling mentality that is still evident in many businesses and corporations today. However times are changing, and in order to go forward in the world and make an impact the lives and societies that our children lead and grow up in, it is necessary to move forward with bravery and vision, without letting fear get in the way of progress. And I don't mean the traditional 'progress' that we have been accustomed to since the beginning of the industrial age, but the progress of women coming into our own and bringing our own unique talents and perspectives into not only our families and communities, but into societies globally. In his book 'If You Want to Get Rich and Happy' Robert Kiyosaki talks about women in business in terms of enacting change on a global scale. Kiyosaki asserts that the way that women work in cohesiveness and a community-mindset in entrepreneurship and business enterprises is fundamentally different to the competitiveness of men in business, and that in terms of working in gender-inclusive businesses, where women are in meaningful power position, 'peace, love and trust exist (and) profit follows'.

Do not trust that the vision you put aside to gather dust will necessarily be picked up and set free into the world by somebody else. It is in all likelihood that you are the person with an idea that could help change the world and society in a way that only you can - and at no time has the world needed women's ideas and vision more than right now.

Looking at building or growing your home based business while you are at home with your young children, or homeschooling? The QLD government has this week announced some small business funding grants for parents at home with children who are also running a small business. This is promising news for Mum's and Dad's who could use some help building or improving on their business plan for the year, and could also put a small cash injection to good use in their biz! The grants will be given in two stages:

Stage 1: will offer up to $2500 to stay at home parents to hire a professional consultant to improve or establish a business plan for their home based business. If you have a favourite online business mentor or a mumpreneur that you have been following for a little while, it is possible that this might provide you with the funding to connect with that person and start to nut out what your future plans for your business are.

Stage 2: Will provide dollar-for-dollar funding for successful applicants in stage 1 to improve or establish your business as outlined in stage 1.

Small Business Minister Kate Jones said the Australian-first program was announced in this week's budget and would help home based businesses to get better established or to grow. "The program will provide home-based business owners with the support they need to make their business a success, while keeping a healthy balance between work and family life" Ms Jones states.

The QLD government is offering $1 million dollars in grants over three years to help stay at home parents to establish home-based businesses.

About me

Allira is a university tutor, academic, social worker, author and mother of 4 unschoolers/ homeschoolers. She blogs about life as a family learning at home, and entrepreneurship as a woman and a mother.